Pirates claim Dean Anna off waivers from Yankees

The Pirates have claimed infielder Dean Anna off waivers, the team announced. Anna confirmed the news himself on Twitter. The Yankees designated him for assignment the other day to clear a 40-man roster spot for Zelous Wheeler.

Anna, 27, was acquired from the Padres in a minor trade over the winter. He made the Opening Day roster, went 3-for-22 (.136) with a homer in 12 big league games before being sent to Triple-A Scranton, where he hit .192/.283/.292 (60 wRC+) in 36 games. Anna was probably third on the team’s shortstop depth chart, so while losing him isn’t the end of the world, it would have been nice to keep him in the organization.